Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will also not appear on the straw poll.

Members of the Republican State Committee disagreed, Henderson reported, on which candidates should be included. She wrote:

“Shaw and Republican National Committeeman Steve Scheffler said it was about keeping the Iowa “relevant” in the national debate.

David Chung moved to amend Shaw’s motion to remove the names of Rick Perry and Sarah Palin. He suggested the bar ought to be “you should be a candidate” for POTUS. Another committee member suggested those who want to support those candidates — or any other — can use the “write in” line on the ballot.

Wes Enos suggested it was an “integrity issue” for the party — smacking every other announced candidate who is playing by the FEC rules in the face and showing that Iowa really doesn’t matter. (Enos is not going to vote on this motion, however, because he’s working for Bachmann.)

Shaw replied it was about giving activists in the state who support an undeclared candidate a chance to participate. Enos asked if that was the standard, then why not add Chris Christie or Mark Rubio to the ballot — but Enos said that was venturing into ridiculous territory.

Lehman suggested candidates who have “exploratory” committees or are polling well nationally should be on the ballot. Scheffler said it’s clear that Perry “probably will” run, whereas Christie has said he won’t. “If we don’t include some of these names that are thinking about it, it diminishes the relevancy of our Straw Poll,” Scheffler said. “…I’ve seen Sarah Palin’s people all over this state.”